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Valve goes all out with Portal 2's PS3 version

by: John - posted: 1/18/2011 6:15:00 AM
More On: Portal 2
Gabe Newell's been pretty hard on the PlayStation 3 in the past. I think he's making up for it pretty nicely. The reason? Portal 2's got some slick features on the PlayStation 3 version.

First up, you'll be able to get the PC version of Portal 2 for free if you link your PSN and Valve account. Now THAT's the way to do it as I hate companies that make you double dip. Valve doesn't and here's a prime example of the right way to do things. If you have a PS3 and a PC, you might as well buy the PS3 version of the game as you'll get both versions for one price.

Cross platform is coming to the PS3 version of Portal 2 as you'll be able to play PC/Mac with PS3 folks in multiplayer games. One word here: awesome. Also, your friends on Steam will be visible on your PS3 and you'll be able to chat with them as well.

Finally, the cloud features of Steam will be utilized on the PS3 version too with the ability to have your PS3 games saved on Valve's servers. This way, if you ever replace your console, your saved games are safe and can easily be accessed. I wonder if you'll be able to continue a PS3 saved game on a PC or Mac and vice versa. I've shot an email to Valve to let me know and will update if I hear of anything.

Looks like Valve's really pushing PS3 version of Portal 2 and leaving the Xbox 360 version behind in terms of features.
PORTAL 2 PLAYSTATION 3 STEAM FEATURES REVEALED

January 18, 2011 -- Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the Steam features shipping with the PlayStation 3 (PS3) version of Portal 2.

Marking the debut of Steam functioning on any next generation console, the features shipping in the PS3 version of Portal 2 include cross platform play (PC/Mac vs. PS3) for multiplayer games, persistent cloud-based storage of PS3 saved games, and cross platform chat (PC/Mac and PS3).

In addition, those who purchase Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3 may unlock a Steam Play (PC & Mac) copy of Portal 2 at no additional cost by linking their PSN and Steam accounts.

"We made a promise to gamers at E3 that Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3 would be the best console version of the product," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. "Working together with Sony we have identified a set of features we believe are very compelling to gamers. We hope to expand upon the foundation being laid in Portal 2 with more Steam features and functionality in DLC and future content releases."

"We designed the Portal 2 PS3 experience to be very straightforward for gamers," said Josh Weier, project lead on Portal 2 at Valve. "PS3 gamers will be able to simply drop the Blu-Ray disc in the PS3, link to their Steam account from inside the game, and all their Steam friends (on PC and Mac) will be visible and accessible for chat and game invites."

These features are made possible thru the use of Steam, Valve's platform for the delivery and management of games and digital content.

Portal 2 is due for release on the PlayStation 3, PC, Mac and Xbox 360 this April.